Spurs Pop Culture: As Nasty As They Need To Be

Stephen Jackson celebrates his only basket in the Spurs Game 1 win over the Thunder. Courtesy: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

“Are we having fun yet?”

That question kicked off what will undoubtedly enter the “Coaching Time Out Speech” Hall of Fame. Sean Elliott will forever be remembered for delivering the “Memorial Day Miracle” in the Spurs’ first title run in 1999. Gregg Popovich might have provided the bookend to that pivotal moment in Spurs history. A moment that ignited the comeback in last night’s 101-98 win over the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

Especially if this postseason drive eventually culminates with NBA title #5 for SA.

“I need a little bit more dose of NASTY. I’m seeing a little bit of unconfident. A little hesitation…”

Here’s the moment everyone is talking about and that will now live in Spurs and Pop’s history…

The Spurs trailed the rolling Thunder by nine points entering the fourth quarter. The Thunder were running free, while the Spurs were stumbling trying to match Oklahoma City’s pace.

“It’s not supposed to be easy… Every round gets tougher.”

Joey Crawford and Gregg Popovich have been known to get nasty with each other. Courtesy: Eric Gay/AP

Pop saw what Spurs Nation was witnessing: this Spurs team that swept through the Jazz and Clippers suddenly found themselves chasing a longer, quicker team through the first three periods.

“Penetrate hard. Good passes… Shoot with confidence!”

Shots were going up with tight arms, uneasy wrists. The last basket Danny Green or Matt Bonner made came a week ago in the Staples Center after combining to go 0-8 from the field. Kawhi Leonard (7 points, 7 rebounds) and Gary Neal were the only Spurs without an NBA title ring who didn’t appear totally in awe on the Conference Finals stage. Neal’s 12 points, including two clutch 3-point shots in four tries, were critical. That’s also one reason Pop stayed with Neal in the final quarter with the guys who do have rings: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Stephen Jackson.

Smiling with reporters as he said it, Jackson sported a quality Cheshire cat grin. “Nasty” got up close and personal with the God of Thunder, Kevin Durant. And yes, he also got a little nasty. Jackson was channeling his inner Bruce Bowen, sticking to Durant better than a sticky trap could. Being that close and crowding Durant took the 6′ 10″ scoring champ off his game. Frustrated Durant into swinging an elbow across Jackson’s chin for an offensive foul.

Stephen Jackson and the Spurs got nasty with Kevin Durant in the 4th quarter of Game 1. Courtesy:Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman

The Durantula finished with a game high 27 points. But he only got two shots off in the pivotal fourth quarter. Two shots? From the 3-time scoring king? That’s getting nasty. This is how far Jackson has matured. His impact was game changing on the defensive end. Jackson’s only basket, a 3-point dagger to put the Spurs up 91-84 resulted in a headlock hug from Timmy.

And flashbacks to 2003 for Spurs Nation.

Duncan and Jackson party like it’s 2003 late in Game 1. Courtesy: Darren Abate/AP

Jackson made it clear to the media, even though it should be crystal clear: Pop was not imploring his team to sweep Russell Westbrook’s legs, or yank away at James Harden’s beard.

It was a call for aggression, for passion, for scrappiness.

Here’s Popovich’s explanation: ” I thought we were playing a bit unconfidently, kind of on our heels, a little bit unsure of ourselves, on the dribble too much. So I talked to them about getting a little bit uglier, get a little more nasty, play with more fiber and take it to those guys. We got that way in the fourth quarter.”

There he goes again. Play with more FIBER? No wonder the Spurs are called an old team.

Manu was the man in the 4th quarter, scoring 11 of his team high 26 points in the final period. Courtesy: Eric Gay/AP

But exploding for 39 fourth quarter points, 16 of those in the paint, is getting nasty. Manu Ginobili not missing in the fourth (3-3 FG, 5-5 FT) for 11 of his team high 26 points, is getting nastier. Showing championship mettle with a stunning 18-3 game winning run is as nasty as the Spurs needed to be to defend their home court.

Which of course, leads to the obligatory quick thinking businessman: “Nasty” T-shirts were rolling off the press last night.

WOAI’s Albert Flores displays the hot off the presses Spurs “I want some nasty” T-Shirts. For more info contact PROMOtivation at www.promo-sa.com.

Meanwhile, the psycho analysis of Oklahoma City begins: how does the young team react to blowing a prime opportunity to steal Game 1 and swing the home court edge back to Thunder Alley? How many more games will they get a combined 25 points from Thabo Sefolosha, Nick Collision and Derek Fisher? At times it seemed like Fish thought the AT&T Center clock was showing 0.4 seconds, since he didn’t miss until the last period on his way to scoring 13 points.

Maury Vasquez is part of San Antonio's sports history and tradition. Vasquez worked with the KENS-5 Sports team under the legendary Dan Cook in the 90's before joining the top rated news team at KSAT-12. His career in broadcasting expands over 20 years in San Antonio and South Texas.
Today, Maury works full time as the Public Information Officer for Somerset ISD giving a voice to the Bulldog Nation of students and staff. And his love for sports continues, by co-hosting "Longhorns Unplugged" on Ticket 760 AM along with co-hosting the "SASports.com HS Football Scoreboard Show". You can also find Vasquez Saturday mornings at the Mays Family "Field of Dreams" next to Wolff Stadium, where he serves as the announcer for the Miracle League baseball spring and fall seasons.
Maury Vasquez is a native of Mercedes, TX from the Rio Grande Valley who has called SA home since 1992. He is also the proud father of two children, Valerie and Mauro IV.
Maury writes for AlamoCityTimes.com about whatever moves him in the world of sports to the game of life, and just about anything in between.

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